Heather Young is a middle school social studies teacher in the Minneapolis metro area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies teaching and a Master of Arts degree in Literacy Education. One of her favorite things about teaching middle school is being a witness and guide to a powerful period of discovery, mistake-making, and growth for students. Heather’s philosophy on teaching the whole child and bringing a sense of belonging and fun to the work she does with students was echoed in the Responsive Classroom training she received. In addition to her teaching role, Heather works with Center for Responsive Schools as a consulting teacher. She co-authored Empowering Educators: A Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Grades 6, 7, 8 (Center for Responsive Schools, 2021) and The Bridge Forward. In her spare time she enjoys baking, woodworking, and all things Harry Potter.